Chapter 7

Emily swaggered away, pulling out her phone, as she sent Sarah a message: [Mission accomplished!]

Just like that, she locked Ava on the balcony.

She searched her pockets. Her phone was no longer there. Tears threatened, but none came.

At this hour, Howard was already asleep. His insomnia meant that if he woke, he would never fall back asleep. She didn’t dare shout for help.

Slowly, Ava slid down against the glass door. She curled up, hugging her knees to her chest.

She couldn't help but wonder what William and Sarah were doing at the moment. After ending a long-distance relationship and finally reuniting… what else could a couple be doing?

A brittle laugh escaped her throat.

The night wind cut deeper.

Exhaustion consumed her — body and soul. After last night’s ordeal and everything that followed, she was now completely worn out. Leaning against the door, she drifted into a thin, restless sleep.

"Ava? Wake up, Ava..."

Unable to tell if it was a dream or reality, Ava felt herself falling into a warm embrace. She opened her eyes to see a chiseled, nearly perfect jawline and a prominent Adam's apple like a mountain peak. Her fingers lifted instinctively, reaching for him.

"Don't move, you have a fever."

She pulled her hand away. She had always been obedient.

Now wrapped in thick blankets, she felt life slowly return to her frozen limbs.

William left and returned minutes later with a cup of water and medicine. Two small pills lay in his palm.

Her heart slammed against her ribs. What if… she was pregnant?

If she were pregnant, she couldn’t take medicine. It was better to be safe.

She hesitated, then asked softly, “Could you run a bath? I'd like to soak."

The request sounded absurd even to her. How could William help run a bath? . Since when did she deserve care from him?

To her surprise, he handed her what he was holding, his voice cold as usual,

"Take it yourself, don't make me serve you."

Perhaps because she was sick, she got special treatment. William stuffed the water cup and medicine into her hands, turned, and went into the bathroom. Soon, she heard the sound of running water —he was actually running her a hot bath.

Ava quickly hid the pills and drained the cup of water.

When William returned, his eyes flicked to the empty glass.

“You took them?" he asked.

"Yeah."

"Take off your clothes and go wash. The water's ready."

William pulled a clean bath towel from the closet and walked toward the bathroom. Ava was puzzled about the way he cared. Before she could ask, she heard him say,

"Come in, I'll help you wash."

Heat flooded Ava’s face.

During their three years together, they had always made love in the dark. She had never dared let him see her clearly — let alone bathe her.

William put the towel in the bathroom and noticed she didn't follow. He returned to find her frozen against the headboard, lost in thought.

His lips curved faintly.

“What are you shy about? What haven’t I seen?” His voice lowered. “I’m worried you’ll fall asleep and drown. Don’t overthink it.”

Her cheeks burned.

“We’re divorced. It’s different now. Please leave.”

It never pleased William to be reminded multiple times , that they were divorced. He tugged off his tie and tossed it aside, then rolled up his sleeves, as he lifted her into his arms, Next, he picked up the blanket and carried her toward the bathroom.

“The divorce isn’t finalized,” he said evenly. “I’m still your husband. If something happens, you come to me first. Understood?”

He was talking about the robbery from two nights ago, but that didn't sit well with Ava.

"So when are we going to finish the official paperwork?"

Ava's question struck a nerve. William had planned to set her down by the tub and help her undress, but now he just had to let go.

Caught off guard, Ava fell straight into the water, splashing water all over his shirt.

The soaked nightgown clung to her skin, outlining every curve.

It no longer mattered whether she wore it.

She wiped water from her face and met his gaze , fearlessly asking again, "When are we doing the paperwork? I can’t live like this anymore.”

William chest tightened. “Am I really that unbearable?”

His voice dropped. “Or are you in a hurry to run to your Joseph?”

Joseph─a man who might not even exist.

Yet, the name burned in his throat.

Ava smiled bitterly, "When can we finish the divorce paperwork? Can you give me an exact time? Today, your sister locked me on the balcony; tomorrow, she might just kill me."

William didn't believe her explanation.

"Getting locked out there was your own stupidity. Didn't anyone teach you in kindergarten to fight back when you're bullied?"

He leaned closer, his large hand gripping her chin.

"Do you even know you call out Joseph's name in your dreams every night? Every time you do… I want to pin you down and make you pay.”

"Like yesterday?" Ava shot back.

William had forced himself on her against her will, and now he was twisting the knife in her heart.

That instant, something struck William, his gaze was fixed on her injured arm.

The wound had gotten wet. It must hurt a lot.

He felt his anger subside, releasing his grip on her. Ava's cheeks now had several more finger marks, especially noticeable on her porcelain-white skin.

"Are you really that eager to divorce?"

Ava looked away, suddenly not daring to meet his burning gaze, feeling there was something bewitching in it. She lowered her eyes and answered flatly, "Yes."

"Tomorrow morning at ten, City Hall."

He threw out that line and slammed the door on his way out.

Only then did Ava calm down. When it really came to the divorce, she found she wasn't as calm as she appeared on the surface. Three years of bottled-up feelings─ she wasn't a machine. How could she just turn them off? Her heart still ached terribly.

She wanted everything to end quickly.

William sat in his car and smoked a cigarette. After a while, he called his friend Daniel Wilson.

"Come out for drinks."

Daniel had just left a bar. He checked the time. "Why are you only calling now? I've already finished one round. Shouldn't someone with a wife be making love at this hour?"

"Cut the crap. Meet me at the usual place." William muttered.

Daniel arrived at Imperial Lux Club. By then, William had already drunk himself into a tipsy state.

"You're out messing around this late, won't Ava punish you when you get back?"

William acted like he'd heard some intolerable joke, pulling at the corner of his mouth to ask back, "What are you talking about? Is Ava someone you can call by name?"

"You bastard, you're not this mean to Ava at home, too, are you?"

Daniel joked around a bit, then grabbed a glass to pour himself a drink. When he picked up the nearly empty wine bottle and examined it carefully, he started wailing, "My '95 Romanée-Conti! I saved it for a year and couldn't bear to drink it, and you just finished it off like that, you bastard?"

"I'll pay you back with two bottles another day," William said.

He downed his glass in one gulp and told the server to get more wine from the cabinet.

Daniel's heart ached. At this rate, the wine he stored here wouldn't last. He might as well drink freely, too — couldn't let this bastard have it all to himself.

William held his glass between his fingers, gently swirling it. "Sarah's back in the country. I'm getting divorced tomorrow."

Daniel choked on his drink, glaring at him.

"Ava wants to divorce you... Is that why you're here drowning your sorrows?"

William scoffed, "Who says I'm drowning my sorrows? Besides, I'm the one who asked for the divorce. I'm celebrating, okay!"

Daniel looked him over, but couldn't see a trace of joy on his face. Instead, there was some loneliness, like he'd been dumped by a woman. He couldn't help needling him, "Celebrating, huh? I'm good at that. Tomorrow, after you finish the divorce paperwork, I'll set up a fireworks show for you in the suburbs. How about that? Bring your lover to watch."

"Are you nuts?" William snapped.